Taking my vehicle overseas

GENERAL INFORMATION

The document used to identify your vehicle is called a Carnet de Passages en Douane (CPD).

The Carnet (pronounced car-nay) is valid for 12 months from the date of issue and saves time, effort and expense.

It allows visitors to temporarily import their private vehicles for a limited period with a minimum of formalities and without the need to make a cash deposit at the frontier in local currency, equivalent to the Customs Duty and other taxes.

A CPD carnet is not required for motor vehicles, camper vans and motor cycles entering the Continent of North America for touring purposes. A CPD carnet is not required in Europe for private or commercial vehicles. In Turkey, a CPD carnet is accepted, but a local document may be purchased at the border in the place of a carnet.  People temporarily importing vehicles into these parts of the world are required to sign a personal undertaking that they will re-export the vehicle within the prescribed time limit.

The Australian Automobile Association (AAA) is a member of the AIT/FIA Carnet network which guarantees to Customs authorities around the world payment of Customs Duties on motor vehicles, temporarily imported for touring purposes.

The vehicle must carry current Australian registration while overseas and have an AUS plate fitted near the rear number plate. The AUS plate comes with the Carnet pack.

Download the CPD Carnet application form using the button below.

• The CPD carnet holder contacts AAA or the motoring club in country that they are requesting from and requests extension 1-2 months before expiry of carnet
• The CPD carnet holder then provides AAA details on:
  • the Carnet No, Copy of the Carnet and CPD carnet holder details
  • where the carnet holder is currently situated
  • the valid reason for the extension
• The AAA will seek additional security from the CPD carnet holder.
• Then AAA contacts the Overseas Club where the CPD carnet holder is situated and provides a ‘No Objection’ letter to the extension.
• The overseas motoring club will seek extension approval from the local Customs authority. If accepted, the Overseas Club provides a ‘No Objection’ letter to AAA.The CPD carnet holder must go to the overseas club and get the extension processed by getting the CPD Carnet stamped with an extension stamp on the inside front cover where it states, ‘Extension of Validity’. The Overseas Club will then endorse it with the club stamp.
• The CPD carnet holder then needs to take the carnet to the Local Customs Authority and have the final endorsement.
• The CPD carnet holder should send a copy of the extension endorsed by the Local Customs Authority back to AAA.

Importation of vehicles into Indonesia

From the 1st September 2016, CPD Carnet holders are required to inform Ikatan Motor Indonesia (IMI) of their temporary importation into Indonesia.  The CPD holder/s are required to advise them the following to IMI via email: [email protected] . If this information is NOT received, The Indonesian Customs Office will not accept any vehicle with a CPD carnet into Indonesia.

Please provide the following; Name, Country, CPD number, Port of Entry to Indonesia, Itinerary Plan in Indonesia, Port of exit from Indonesia.

When you are returning your vehicle back to Australia, ensure that your CPD carnet shows a discharge customs stamp from the last overseas port of call. Its imperative you always have the CPD carnet completed when you enter a country and leave a country. This allows AAA to discharge the CPD carnet and return the refundable bond to you. The carnet holder must ensure that the Certificate of Location at the back of the CPD carnet is completed by Australian Customs. Once completed please return the CPD carnet back to AAA GPO Box 1555, Canberra ACT 2601.

AAA recommends that individuals wishing to export their vehicle from Australia should be a financial Member of a constituent motoring organisation of the AAA. Being a Member of a motoring club provides you with reciprocal services whilst overseas.

The AAA can also provide International Camping Cards (for a fee) which provide protection against legal liability for bodily injury and/or property damage to third parties in camping grounds across the world.

Many European camping grounds will only accept guests who are in possession of the Camping Card. Many camping grounds offer discounts and there are a number of special rates for them at parks and attractions available for cardholders.

You should also carry your Australian Driving Licence with you at all times and your current automobile club membership card which will entitle you to reciprocal services from member clubs of the Alliance Internationale de Tourisme (AIT) and the Federation Internationale de’l Automobile (FIA), the two world motoring bodies.